Pentecostalism and Assemblies of God have much in common the latter is part of the Pentecostal Movement. However, as the Assemblies of God vs. Pentecostalism debate continues to rage, religious scholars have been trying to establish whether there are any differences between the Movement and the Church.
Pentecostalism and Assemblies of God differ in a few ways. The major difference between them is that Pentecostalism is a belief system followed by several Protestant churches, while Assemblies of God is a Church. Assemblies of God are part of the Pentecostalism movement.
What is the difference between Pentecostalism and Assemblies of God? What are the similarities between Pentecostalism and Assemblies of God? What is the theological comparison between Pentecostalism and Assemblies of God? Which came first between Pentecostalism and Assemblies of God? Keep reading to learn more!
What is the difference between Pentecostalism and Assemblies of God?
There are a few differences between Pentecostalism and Assemblies of God. The table below outlines these differences.
| Beliefs, values, and practices | Pentecostalism | Assemblies of God |
| Name | The name Pentecostal comes from the term Pentecost, an event that celebrates the descent of the Holy Ghost upon Disciples and other followers of Christ in Jerusalem. The group was celebrating the Feast of Weeks. | The name Assemblies of God is derived from the terms assembly and God. An assembly is a group of people congregating in one place for a common course. The course in the case of Assemblies of God is to worship God. |
| Origin | The origin of the Pentecostalism movement can be dated back to the 1906 Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles. | Assemblies of God were established in the United States (US) in 1914 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Three hundred individuals were in attendance at the founding convention. |
| Early influencers | Early influencers in the Pentecostal Movement are William J. Seymour, Albert Benjamin Simpson, Charles Parham, John Alexander Dowie, Maria Woodworth-Etter, and Adoniram Judson Gordon. | The early influencer in the Assemblies of God Church is Aimee Semple McPherson. |
| Membership | Pentecostal churches have about 279 million adherents worldwide. | Assemblies of God Churches have approximately 69 million adherents worldwide. |
| Organization | Pentecostalism is a movement (a system of beliefs) that over seven hundred Protestant denominations and churches adhere to. The government can be Episcopalian, take the form of a Presbyterian polity, or others. | A Presbyterian polity form of government runs assemblies of God. This form of government combines oversight by district and national councils and the independence of the local Assemblies of God (AG) churches. Church members elect their elders/church leaders. |
What are the similarities between Pentecostalism and Assemblies of God?
There are many similarities between Pentecostalism and the Assemblies of God. The table below outlines the significant similarities.
| Beliefs, values, and practices | Pentecostalism | Assemblies of God |
| Nature of God | Pentecostals are Trinitarians. They firmly believe that God exists in three forms; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. | Assemblies of God also believe in God’s triune nature. They believe God exists in three forms; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. |
| Jesus | Pentecostals believe that Jesus is God’s Son. He was born to a virgin woman. He did not sin during His time here on earth. He died to redeem man from His sinful ways. | Assemblies of God also teach their adherents that Jesus is a deity (God’s Son). He was born to a virgin woman. He did not sin during His time here on earth. He died to redeem man from His sinful ways. |
| Bible | Pentecostals believe that the Bible is Inspired and the sole source of authority in the Church. | Assemblies of God adherents believe that the Bible is Inspired and the sole source of authority in the Church. |
| Divine Inspiration | Pentecostals believe the Bible is the only source of divine inspiration for its adherents. | Assemblies of God also teach that the Bible is the only source of divine inspiration for its adherents. |
| Bible Used | Pentecostals used the Hebrew Bible. This is the Bible with 66 Holy Scriptures. | Assemblies of God use the Hebrew Bible. |
| Baptism | Pentecostal churches practice believer’s baptism. | Assemblies of God also practice believer’s baptism. |
| Mode of Baptism | Pentecostal churches practice baptism by immersion. The believer is entirely or partially immersed in water. | Assemblies of God practice baptism by immersion. |
| Baptism with the Holy Spirit | Pentecostals believe in the baptism with the Holy Spirit. | Assemblies of God adherents also firmly believe in baptism with the Holy Spirit. |
| Speaking in Tongues | Pentecostals believe that speaking in tongues is the initial sign that one has been filled with the Holy Spirit. | Assemblies of God adherents also practice speaking in tongues and believe it is the initial sign that one has been filled with the Holy Spirit. |
| Divine Healing | Pentecostals believe believers can achieve divine healing after baptism with the Holy Spirit. | Firm adherents of the Assemblies of God also believe believers can achieve divine healing after baptism with the Holy Spirit. |
| Sacraments | Pentecostals have only two sacraments; Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. | Assemblies of God also have only two sacraments; Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. |
| Nature of Man | Pentecostals believe that man is sinful by nature. This nature has been passed down from parents to children since the times of Adam and Eve. | Assemblies of God acknowledge that man is sinful by nature. Despite knowing that God does not love sinners, man chooses the wrong because it is more enticing. |
| Penal Substitutionary Atonement (Redemption) | Pentecostals firmly believe Christ died on the cross to redeem man from sin. | Assemblies of God teach their adherents that Christ suffered and died on the cross to redeem man from sin. |
| Salvation | Pentecostals believe that salvation can only be achieved by God’s grace. | Assemblies of God adherents also believe that salvation can only be achieved by God’s grace. |
| Justification | Pentecostalism teaches that justification is through faith in Jesus Christ alone. | Assemblies of God adherents also believe that justification is through faith in Jesus Christ alone. |
| Doctrine of New Birth | Most Pentecostals believe in the doctrine of rebirth when one is saved. | Assemblies of God teach their followers that someone is reborn or born again when they accept Christ as the King and personal savior. |
| Second Coming of Christ | Pentecostals affirm the return of Jesus to Judge the living and the dead during the end of times. | Assemblies of God teach their followers that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead. |
| View of Judgment | Pentecostals believe that people will be judged based on their actions. Family ties or earthly positions will not influence Christ’s judgment. | Assemblies of God adherents also believe that people will be judged according to their actions. |
| Heaven | Pentecostals believe in the doctrine of Heaven. A glorious place where God lives with His angels. It is here that the righteous shall live for eternity. | Assemblies of God also acknowledge that Heaven exists and is where individuals who have faith and believe in Christ will live for eternity after judgment day. |
| Hell | Pentecostals believe that hell is where Satan stays with his demons. Those who will be sent to hell with burn for eternity. | Assemblies of God also affirm the doctrine of hell. Adherents of this Church believe that it is where all wicked people will go after judgment. |
| Doctrine of Purgatory | Pentecostals reject the doctrine of Purgatory. They do not believe in a place between earth and Heaven where believers will be cleansed before going to Heaven. | Assemblies of God also reject the doctrine of Purgatory. |
What is the theological comparison between Pentecostalism and Assemblies of God?
Pentecostalism and Assemblies of God have much in common theologically. For instance, both are Trinitarian; they believe in God’s triune nature. Both believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Son and that His death on the cross redeemed man from sin. Also, they share the same views about the Bible; the Bible is inspired and the sole source of authority in the Church. Also, both believe in the Messiah’s second coming (Christ) to judge the living and the dead. Much theological similarity arises between Pentecostalism and Assemblies of God because Assemblies of God are part of the Pentecostal Movement.
Which came first between Pentecostalism and Assemblies of God?
Pentecostalism came before the Assemblies of God. The origin of the Pentecostalism movement can be dated back to the 1906 Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles. On the other hand, Assemblies of God were established in the United States (US) in 1914 in Hot Springs, Arkansas; three hundred individuals were in attendance at the founding convention. Therefore, Pentecostalism came before the Assemblies of God.
References
ag.org. (n.d.). Assemblies of god 16 fundamental truths. Retrieved January 13, 2023
news.ag.org. (2023). What is Pentecostalism? Retrieved January 13, 2023
slife.org. (2022). Pentecostalism. Retrieved January 13, 2023
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